Jonathan Rossini

“After further review, the ruling on the field stands.  The ball will be placed on the one and a half yard line and no touchdown.”  This statement is common for a Sunday morning in the fall and into the winter, but is never heard from Spring Training until Game Seven of the World Series.  Some people are tired of hearing statements by umpires, but I think they are needed in every single sport, especially baseball.  Instant replay is necessary in Major League Baseball.

          Through over one-hundred seasons of Major League Baseball, replay has not been used and 2008 is the year to start.  There have been far too many blown calls by umpires this season.  The fact that only each umpires perspective is what matters is completely absurd.  What happens if one umpire makes the correct call, another makes the wrong call, and the other two were skipping in La-La Land?  Odds are, the umpire who made the incorrect call will have the final decision because he has the best view of the play.  If instant replay had been applied to make the correct outcome, the umpires could see the play from multiple angles again and again, and save their time of complaining, “I got it right!  No I got it right!”

          Within the past month, I have seen five homeruns that have been called incorrectly.  This statistic is hard to believe.  I thought Major League umpires have been training for years to make a game perfect.  I know that there is human error involved, but when a ball visibly bounces off of a pole, isn’t it a homerun.  This Wednesday, recently struggling Dustin Pedroia hit a screamer down the right field line that began to tail.  It obviously hit the Pesky Pole but instead was ruled a foul ball.  Would this have ended his slump?  Umpires botched another home run call when Cleveland’s Ben Francisco hit a shot that cleared the fence in the sixth inning. Television replays showed that Francisco’s ball was clearly a home run. Instead of being a three-run shot that got the Indians within 12-9 to the Texas Rangers, it was ruled an RBI double.  These are just two examples of umpire’s stupidity and lack of discipline this season.  The New York Yankees might not have won the 2000 World Series if it weren’t for that stupid kid reaching out over the fence.

          When is it alright for the umpires to use replay?  This is going to be a major question if it begins to be used in the majors.  I know coaches are going to come out arguing balls and strikes, the always do.  The old phrase should be used for these situations, “Don’t argue balls and strikes.”  If there is a questionable catch, use it.  If there is a disputed homerun call, use replay.  All possible human error can be eliminated if just a small amount of MLB’s income is set aside for replay booths.  Major League Baseball should start to exercise instant replay at the beginning of the 2009 season.

In the world of baseball there are many allegations stretching from betting on games to the steroid scandal.  The MLB does not do a good job of managing their franchise.  Commissioner Bud Selig is not doing enough to straighten out his league.  Compared to the NFL, NBA and MLS, Major league baseball is a laughing stock of American Sports.  I understand that those other organizations have their problems (Spy Gate and Tim Donaghy) but the MLB is far more ahead of them in troubles.  Steroid allegations are a key problem with the MLB and will end up killing the majors.  Steroids need to be completely abolished from the Majors.  Are steroids ruining baseball?

          Steroids are ruining the correct brand of baseball that should be played at a high level.  Last season an astronomical amount of homeruns were hit by players that were allegedly taking a performance enhancer.  Last season in the Mitchell Report, eighty six names were listed including thirty one all stars and seven former Most Valuable Players.  This is astounding.  Of those eighty six players, two cooperated with Commissioner Selig.  Both Jason Giambi and Frank Thomas had agreed to speak with Selig.  This is amazing because information from two people isn’t going to go very far.  Some players have came out and admitted their performance enhancer use while others continue to deny allegations that many people know are true.

          The discipline system in Major League Baseball has just met the standards that it should.  During the 2002 season, the suspensions were not going to do anything.  In one case, you weren’t even suspended.  In order of offenses, counseling, fifteen days, twenty five days, fifty days, and one year.  What I get out of this system is you can take steroids until you get caught once so you will only have to go to counseling.  In January of 2005 the system had an overhaul that didn’t change much.  All that this did is move every suspension up one offense and made your fifth offense be the commissioner’s decisions.  This wasn’t going to do anything for people, just a little slap on the wrist.  I really like the system put into place right now for this season.  Your first offense will cost you fifty games, second will be one hundred games, and your third is a lifetime ban.  This is how the system should have been in the first place.

          Steroids being completely taken out of baseball would be nearly impossible, but making the discipline much harsher is a good way to slow it down.  I know there are players that continue or are starting to juice right now and I don’t accept that.  Bud Selig has begun to take steroids out of baseball but will need to do more to do it completely.  Steroids are a big distraction in the league and have partially taken my interest away from the majors.  I don’t like watching a game and I think it is the homerun derby.

No Hitters in Baseball

          Within the past few years the number of no hitters thrown has increased by a substantial number.  All though the number of no-no’s thrown have increased, the age of players throwing them has decreased.  Young pitchers in the past three years have thrown four no hitters.  On the contrary, some experienced pitchers have yet to throw one.  In the Major Leagues history, 256 no hitters have been thrown, only seventeen of them being perfect games.

          Among pitchers who have thrown a no hitter, there are 27 who have thrown more than one. Nolan Ryan threw seven in his playing days.  His last was at age 44.  This is twenty years older than Jon Lester was when he threw his last week.  Behind Ryan is Sandy Koufax with four.  No hitters are very rare, happening an average of twice per year but these 27 players have been able to celebrate a good performance more than once.

Along with the many no hitters thrown for wins, there have been seven, three unofficial, no hitters thrown for losses.  Many rare and strange no-no’s have been thrown.  Imagine having a stellar performance in which you don’t allow a hit, but you still end up losing the game.  On April 23, 1964, Ken Johnson of the Houston Colt 45’s became the only pitcher to lose a complete game no-hitter in nine innings when he was beaten 1-0 by Cincinnati. The winning run was scored by Pete Rose in the top of the ninth inning after an error, groundout, and another error.  On May 2, 1917, Fred Toney of the Cincinnati Reds and Hippo Vaughn of the Chicago Cubs pitched a hitless, scoreless tie after nine innings.  The Reds got two hits in the top of the tenth inning and scored the winning run. In the bottom of the tenth, Toney retired the side and recorded a ten-inning no-hitter.  Talk about a boring game.

Within the past three years, Aníbal Sanchez, Mark Buehrle, Justin Verlander, Clay Buchholz, and Jon Lester have thrown no hitters.  They averaged 24 years old at the time of their no hitter.  This is quite lower then players like Randy Johnson, age 35, or Nolan Ryan, age 44.  Why is it that some great players such as Roger Clemens or Curt Schilling have not thrown a no hitter, but young guns like Buchholz have?  Schilling lost his in the ninth inning two seasons ago season, but has never thrown one.  Why is this?  I feel that because they are older pitchers, that teams recognized their pitches as opposed to rookies who haven’t faced every team. 

With the scarcity of no hitters in Major League Baseball, I think that the celebration of no hitters is great and not over the top and we should not get used to them.  Although we have seen quite a few recently, they will not continue to be this common and no one will ever break Nolan Ryan’s insurmountable record of seven.

My All-Star Team Roster

          With the All-Star Game on the way, not until July but close enough, I have compiled my personal team that would win the ASG easily.  The team is constructed of both American League and National League players that are the best at their respected positions.  This team could contend against any team on any day the stacked that they would have from spot number one in the order to number nine.  The roster will be a thirty man extended roster for September call ups.  The head coach of this team is going to be Joe Torre because of his experience and ability to manage the roster.  Terry Francona is going to be his assistant alongside Bobby Cox.  Every team needs someone to get thrown out of a game once a week, so why not him.

          The five-man pitching rotation will be the highlight of the team pitching either complete game shutouts or seven innings of solid baseball.  The number one starter is going to be Johan Santana, current Mets ace.  Santana is the best left hander in the game and in the top five for overall pitchers in the league.  Behind him would be the play-off experienced Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox.  He’ll come in handy during tight games when the series is tied 3-3 or 2-2 and you want to get a jump ahead.  Also in the rotation will be Brandon Webb of the D-Backs, who has won eleven straight starts. Jake Peavey of the Padres will make the team as will Justin Verlander of Detroit.  Coming in to for saves will be a wide variety of relievers.  Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima will be essential in tight game situations.  Coming in from the pen will be K-Rod, Trevor Hoffman and although he is a Yankee, Mariano Rivera.  The strong point of my all-star team will be the pitching although hitting isn’t far behind.  The extra starter on my team will be the Japanese sensation Dice-K.

          As much as I like hitting homeruns and seeing them hit, my team will be both a base stealing threat and a small ball team.  Leading off is the ultimate small ball player in Ichiro Suzuki.  He swiped of forty bases last season for the seventh year in a row alongside another two hundred plus hit season.  Second is the Red Sox sophomore second baseman, Dustin Pedroia.  Both his defensive ability and hitting capabilities have earned him a spot on my roster.  Hitting third is my least favorite Yankee, Alex Rodriguez. Although he is hated by many, he is the greatest player in the league.  Behind him has to Albert Pujous of the Cardinals.  Although he has been on a bit of a slide for the past couple months and even year, his power is incredible.  Fifth is the most clutch hitter in baseball history in David Ortiz.  His late inning heroics are what make him a definite lock for the DH spot.  Following behind him is where the lineup takes a turn to less power and more of a singles double approach.  My shortstop will be Jose Reyes and he will be hitting sixth.  Not only is a base stealing threat, but also get on base all the time so he can steal.  Vladimir Guerrero  will hit seventh because of his rocket powered arm and ability to golf.  He hits everything you throw at him whether it’s in the dirt or he has to jump for it.  Following him is Manny Ramirez in left field.  Although he lacks speed and fielding ability, his swing is perfect and like Vlad, has a rocket arm.

          On the bench will be great players that could easily be starting.  Ryan Braun, Kevin Youkilis, Derek Jeter, and Orlando Hudson will be the back up infielders, mostly for their defensive abilities.  In the outfield are some of my favorite players.  Torii Hunter is in center, Jim Edmonds in right and some raw speed with Jacoby Elsbury.  My all-star team can contend with anybody and would easily win any world series.

Differences in NCAA and MLB Baseball

Recently I attended a Boston College baseball game against Florida State, in which they were crushed, and I started making connections between high school baseball and college ball.  Then I made an immediate leap to the differences in college and the Majors.  Last season I attended two Red Sox games, one of them was a walk-off double by Coco Crisp, and the other was the best game possible.  I attended Clay Buckholtz’s no hitter, which happened to be on my birthday.  My seats were less than stellar but Buckholtz’s performance was just the opposite.  Back to my point, there are many noticeable differences in NCAA baseball and the MLB.

          While watching the Red Sox, you notice many players lackadaisically walking out to their positions where the just a little warming up and also walk back to the dugout following a strikeout.  Well in college, players sprint to their positions where they throw laser beams to each other and warm up the way they should.  Major league ball players get paid millions of dollars to look good in their uniforms and keep fans taking out a second mortgage to go to a game.  On the contrary, college players go out to fight for a spot on the team, their starting position, and in many cases, the future occupations.  In the MLB, ten year veteran players show up every day and go through the actions as the do in spring training as well.  College ball players do not get paid and are hoping to get drafted so they’ll have the chance to play in the big leagues.

          The style of game that the two leagues play is completely different.  In the majors, pitchers work slowly and at whatever pace they would like.  In college, pitchers keep the game moving along making most close games only two and a half hours at most.  Pitchers also go more innings and pitch on a regular basis.  The use of relievers is slim to none in most games, no matter the circumstances.  Hitting is the highlight of all differences in the two leagues.  The majors use wooden bats where the college teams use metal.  In high school we use metal and have played other divisional teams that use wood.  The ball definitely seems to come harder off the bat and in fact it has been proven that the use of metal makes the ball go farther.   In last years College World Series games I recall there being a substantial increase in the number of players that were hit by pitches.  It almost seemed as though players were leaning into balls to get on base.  Last years CWS average was 3.7 HBP’s per game!  3.7 per game! In last seasons MLB World Series, only five players were hit in four games.  That’s a remarkable difference.  The other major difference from the two is the ability to bunt and the commonness of giving yourself up.  In the MLB, players hit for the bettering of their stats.  In college the bunt is used much more often and the advancements of runners by groundballs is much more common.  I enjoy watching the sport of baseball, but get much more satisfaction of watching real baseball, college, instead of MLB where it is a power serge.

In this 2008 season there have been players who have had their ups and downs or continue on perfectly.  There has been the common outstanding start, and the slump that lasts a month.  Pitching has been the highlight of the season while hitting seems to be struggling.  Players will succeed while others fail, but the season will always be a struggle.

          Pitching has become the highlight of Major League Baseball through this point.  There have been players in both leagues that have met expectations and others that have gotten roughed up.  In the American League, the Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay has started in six games, completing four in a row, and losing three of those four.  In his complete game efforts, Halladay has gotten and average of three runs scored for him and four against him.  The less than stellar Blue Jays haven’t met their standards over their past ten seasons although they are constantly getting good efforts from veterans like Halladay or rookies like Jessie Litsch.  Currently the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have three pitchers in the top five for wins in the AL.  Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana both have five and John Garland has four.  The Angels record definitely reflects their record as they have hopped out to an early lead in the less than amazing American League West.

          In the National League, pitching has always been the key to victory because well, there is no designated hitter.  Do you remember when Pedro Martinez used to be a Red Sox and would win twenty games annually and every fastball would reach close to one hundred miles per hour?  Well this season Pedro pitched in three games, after getting hurt…again.  He was 0-3 with an earned run average peaking at 10.80.  What has ever happened to him?  On the contrary, Brandon Webb has picked up where he left off last season winning his first seven starts.  Remind you of someone last year who was taken away from their first Cy Young Award?  Oh that’s right; it’s this seasons Josh Beckett.  Webb has and ERA of 2.50 and is dominant in every one of his starts.  In second for the league lead is the Los Angeles Dodger star pitcher Brad Penny who is 5-1 with a respectable ERA of 3.00.

          What a shock the hitting throughout both leagues has been.  The most clutch hitter in baseball history started of at .071.  He has turned around since then and is currently hitting .250 and is in third for the league in runs batted in.  Manny is in shape and hitting .322 and sophomore sensation Dustin Pedroia returned from his Rookie of the Year award with an amazing month of April, which he struggled in last season.  Leading the League in batting average is Victor Martinez with a .341 average after having a power serge last season.  The aging Chipper Jones is leading the NL in BA with a shocking .421 average and has hit nine homeruns and brought in 23 RBI.  The Biggest surprise in the MLB has got to be either Jason Giambi or Alex Rodriguez.  Both of the Yankee sluggers have sub-three hundred averages and under five homers.  Following A-Rod’s homerun rampage last season, he has cooled off substantially.  Is it his contract possibly?

          The 2008 season has had its noticeable surprises as players come out of the gate hot or struggling.  All players look to end successfully and have their teams find their way into the playoffs.  As many current players are feeling, the teams need to pick up their gloves and shake of the dust of a long offseason. 

Focus on the American League Central

The American League Central is a toss up at the moment with almost all teams stumbling out of the gate.  With un-winning beginnings and Royal success, the central has become the surprise of the league.  The departure of stars from teams has affected it somewhat but teams that picked up superstars aren’t doing the best they can.  The Royals, Indians, Tigers, White Sox and Twins have become the laughing stock of the Majors this season.

            The first place team as of April 29 shows the Chicago White Sox in first place.  They have a winning percentage of just over .500 and are the only team in the central with this mark.  They have gotten off to success, if that’s what you would call it, from their pitching mainly with Javier Vazquez throwing gems in each of his starts.  Their hitting has yet to reach its potential but players like Paul Konerko, Jermaine Dye and Orlando Cabrera have heated up in the past eight games.  The Sox will have a tough schedule coming up with games against the Orioles and Angels coming up.

            Coming in behind the White Sox is a tie between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians.  WHAT?!?!?!?!  Are the Royals really in second?  I thought the Royals would come around soon after so many years of “rebuilding.”  With loads of young talent, I expect them to finish like usual but they will end up in fourth at the end of the season.  Who are some of these players?  Have you ever heard of Alberto Callaspo or Jimmy Gobble?  Although they are 2-8 in their last 10 games, they will rebound and become the Royals of old real soon.  The Cleveland Indians at their new Progressive Field are failing to be resilient from last seasons collapse may I say, to the Red Sox in the ALCS.  They will make the playoffs with their pitching from CC Sabathia and Fausto Carmona who are struggling to pick up wins, will come around and be themselves.

            The Twins follow them and they have nothing to look forward to with their losses of Johan Santana and Torii Hunter.  They have traded away their only real talent in order to become the Royals and rebuild.

            Looking at the Detroit Tigers off-season transactions you would think they would have possibly undefeated start.  With the additions of players such as Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria and Jacque Jones and phenomenal pitching from Kenny Rogers, Justin Verlander, and Jeremy Bonderman, you would expect them to be winning constantly.  Well that happened, after they lost seven in a row to start the season.  The Detroit Tigers have gotten off to their worst start in years. Yes and even this seasons beginning is worse than their 119 loss season in 2003.  The Tigers turned the corner and won a couple games and are wiggling their way into third, but they are only 12-15.  They will finish second in the division as I predicted and have a good second half of the season.

            The AL Central shake up was unsuspected by many with three great teams and two mediocre ones.  With an average winning percentage of only .474, the central is a joke and will not have two wild card teams like they have had in past seasons.

Blog Entry #3

          Last night I was watching the Red Sox play the Yankees as I always do, and was pondering how long baseball games have become.  I was thinking about both the lengths of games and the intensity of rivalry games.  I know there are the simple games in which pitchers pitch gems and end up winning 1-0 or 2-1 games.  But then there is always that game, cough cough Red Sox Yankees cough cough that end up play for four, maybe even five hours.  Last night the defending NL Champion Colorado Rockies defeated the Padres in twenty-two innings! Twenty-two innings!  The score was 2-1.  This has to stop ASAP.

          I can understand that rivalry games go on a little longer due to a good ole brawl or maybe even some ejections.  The Red Sox and Yankees played last night with first pitch at 7:05 and last pitch around 11:35.  The score was 7-5 but with all the commercial advertising during pitching changes and inning swaps it became out of control.  I don’t need to know that Verizon is running a phone special or that Applebee’s has a new appetizer on its menu.  I am about to lose my mind over all of this.

          Rivalry games continue to show friction whether it be visual or in the air.  The Sox and Yanks showed tension last night when on the first pitch of the game, Jacoby Ellsbury was hit by Mike Mussina.  Two innings later, he was hit again and that’s when I began to become suspicious.  Later in the game in the seventh inning, Kyle Farnsworth had just come into the game and he threw behind Manny Ramirez who had hit two homeruns and a single.  Manny dropped his bat and took a long stare out at the pitcher as both teams and the pitcher were warned.  I felt that that in what seemed as Josh Beckett’s last inning of work that he would hit either Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez.  That didn’t happen and he pitched another inning actually with no harm done.  The same things happen when the Cubs and White Sox have their Southside vs. North side battle of inter-league play.  Even in different sports like football with the Colts vs. Patriots, there are feuds.  Honestly, rivalry games make sports make sports.

          On the contrary, the long lasting division games between the Orioles and the Rays are no fun.  Those games give nothing to viewers wanting to learn more of the sport where each team has 45 walks and they score 25 runs each.  I turn on these games and have to shield my eyes because our JV baseball team is playing better then they are.  I understand that these games need to be played and should be treated like all other games, although they don’t offer as much, you never know when something spectacular is going to happen.  As much as I love to play baseball, the length and mediocre intensity of games need to be changed to enhance the viewing experience and possibly bring in more baseball fans.

Blog Entry #2

Week 1 Surprises:

          Opening days have occurred in numerous cities and even three countries this past week into last.  Multiple teams opened in the United States, the Blue Jays in Canada, and the Red Sox and Athletics in Japan.  Daisuke Matsuzaka opened in his native country and was welcomed like a rock star by the Japanese spectators.  The Red Sox opened in four different cities in those three different countries and had ceremonies at five places.  The jet lagged Sox flew from Florida to Japan to Los Angeles to Oakland to Toronto and finally back to Boston.  They opened in each of these cities with a ceremony.  The trip seemed to affect their start as they stumbled out of the gate and started 3-4 through seven games.

          Within the first games, there have been surprise teams that have done well and others, not so much.  Rival in the AL East to the Red Sox, the Baltimore Orioles found themselves on a six game winning streak after losing their home opener.  They found themselves 6-1 and show a much improved line up and bullpen which had a measly 5.17 ERA last season.  The Yankees start off slow, just as last year.  The Rays, wow that’s going to get hard to get used to, continue to be the Devil Rays of old and well lose just like they have since 2000 when they entered the MLB.  Expect the Rays to be good in a couple years as their farm system is constantly getting better.

          The Detroit Tigers will start off well and finish even better.  If you were one of the people who said this, you may want to re-think your logic.  The Tigers have fallen flat on their faces and are skidding along the pavement.  They started the week un-winning at 0-0 and also finished the week un-winning at 0-7.  They have lost seven in a row to the Royals, White Sox and Red Sox.  Also in the Central, the Royals get a sweep for the first time in god knows when.  This was an outstanding accomplishment for a struggling team of the past ten seasons.  Everything is normal in the AL West as the Angels are hot, the Rangers are not, and the A’s and the Mariners are in the middle.

          In the west, the New York Mets have become a force to recon with over the past three seasons and definitely improved with Johan Santana. Yeah right. Johan is a stunning 0-2 with an ERA of over 5 and the Mets have struggled at the plate.  Both the Braves and the Nationals look to have up seasons and have started out on the right note.  Ryan Zimmerman has stood out at the plate and has a walk off homerun already.  In the NL Central, the Cardinals aren’t being their normal selves and neither are the Chicago Cubbies.  Instead, it is the Brewers, my season prediction to win the central, who take the lead at the moment.  The NL West is a toss up and can go to any team that plays a couple games.  This division is a train wreck and no one has taken a charge to win this division.  Hopefully my NL favorite Padres will win the division and I will be pleased.

          At this moment I am puzzled as to how this chaos has arisen and when the turbulence will end.  Hopefully soon or else I will look like a fool with a majority of my predictions.  The first week was a crazy one and I want to see if the madness shapes up a little down the line.

The Major League Baseball regular season is back in swing after a long winter of waiting and then into Spring Training of boringness.  The regular season brings more of an experience and not as much of watching paint dry for a month and half.  Although Spring Training offers a fresh start to the players who hadn’t done anything all winter, I feel that Spring Training games do not need to shown on the television wasting time for great shows on ESPN such as First and Ten or Around the Horn.  With all the new packages that cable providers offer, I feel as though the games should be offered on only the purchased packages. The idea of Spring Training is great although it offers just more time for players to get hurt, just like the Bowl Championship Series NCAA system, which needs to be dropped, but that’s another story.  Newly loaded teams like the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers hope to make a splash in their already tough divisions.
            As a member of Red Sox Nation I hope annually that the Yankees fail miserably and the Sox do well.  I feel this will be the case this season as the Yankees headed by new manger Joe Girardi, will finish third behind the first place Sox and the surprise second, the Baltimore Orioles.  Finishing behind the Yanks will be the Blue Jays and as usual, the Tampa Bay Rays.  The AL Central will be won by the Cleveland Indians who went home disappointed after a blown lead in the ALCS to the Red Sox.  The newly reloaded Tigers will finish second and the White Sox third and the Twins finishing just slightly behind them.  As usual, the Royals will have a disappointing season although they will finish better than their 68 win season last year.  Moving to the west, the Los Angeles Angles of Anaheim with new players such as Torii Hunter will help them win their division.  Following will be the Athletics, Mariners, and Rangers respectively.  This season the wild-card team will be from the central division in the Tigers due to the struggles of the east teams and the seemingly constant downfall of the AL West.
            The National League hasn’t had great seasons in general but this season will be the year where that all comes to a close with the magnificent Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers under new manager Joe Torre.  In the east, the Mets will reign over the division following the pick up of Johan Santana and their complete collapse to the Philadelphia last season.  The Nationals will be a surprise of the year finishing second and winning the wild card.  Following them will be the Braves, Philly, and the Marlins.  The strength of the NL is in the central and the standings will be a little surprising.  The young Brewers will finish first with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder as their power sources.  Finishing behind them is the St Louis, Chicago, Houston, Pittsburg and Cincinnati.  In the completely changed National League West from last season, they became the strongest conference in the NL.  Two teams from that division made the playoffs, one to the World Series, and a third team would have made it if not for the extra game having to be played to determine who made it in.  This season the Dodgers will be resilient and come back from last years disappointing year.  Followed by them will be the Rockies, Padres, Diamondbacks and Giants respectively.
            The new season in spring will bring its surprise teams and of course the no doubters but will of course bring all the satisfaction of baseball season back to the hearts of many Americans.